Thursday 26 August 2010

Kid's room clutter-busting tips.

With the kid's heading back to school next week...now might be the right time to consider venturing into their room for a bit of a clear out!



Here are five top tips to help you...

Make a date...Set aside enough time to clear out all the unwanted, outgrown or broken items.

Involve the kid's...explain your actions to avoid argument.

Tackle one area of chaos at a time...i.e. clothes, toys, etc.

Plan appropriate storage as you go...make it easy for the kids to use.

Make it fun...and reward yourself for a job well done!

Thanks to Zany Holidays for the image.

Thursday 5 August 2010

Top tips for decorating a garden summerhouse

More so these days, parents are understandably reluctant to let their children play outside too far from home...it's no comfort to finally get the kids out from under your feet, only to worry about where they are and what they're up to.

How, then, do you make sure they're getting plenty of fresh air and exercise with the piece of mind that they are nearby?

And what can you do to ensure 'playtime' doesn't become a problem-solving issue for you, in between cries of 'I'm bored'?

The answer may lie with the common garden shed...well, summerhouse to be more accurate...!


With so many styles, sizes, shapes and prices, there's sure to be one to suit your needs and, with a little imaginative decorating, you could have a 'play room' to last years...
Alternatively, you could turn it into your own little retreat.
Exterior
If you're going to paint the exterior, keep it simple and complimentary to your existing garden style. Pale blues and greens blend well in most outdoor spaces. Otherwise, a coat of protective woodstain should suffice...very Hansel and Gretel.

Interior
The interior is best finished in a pale colour to maximise the natural light available. A simple whitewash over the walls and ceiling is an ideal backdrop to any scheme you might wish to create. Wallpaper is an option, if the walls are reasonably flat, but stick to small patterns and try using sample size pieces in a patchwork design...much easier than trying to stick up large rolls.
Hang some framed postcards for a bit of colour or paint wooden panels with blackboard paint and let the kids create their own art.


Flooring
The floors in most garden structures leave a little to be desired, especially for little feet and knees, so lay a piece of carpet remnant or cover with brightly coloured cotton rugs.
A couple of squashy floor cushions will also 'soften' the space.

Windows
A simple piece of gingham cotton hung from a curtain wire looks endearing, and makes the place feel more 'homely'...and you won't need a professional to make up these curtains! Roll-up Swedish blinds are easy to make and fit and, again, only need a small amount of fabric.
Design the window treatments to suit the scheme of your summerhouse.

Furniture
It's a good idea not to overfill such a small space, and child-sized furniture can be a real bonus here. A table and chairs of some sort is a must for imaginative play, crafts and general comfort, while storage is also worth thinking about. Plastic containers and tubs, wicker baskets and fabric bags are all very useful and versatile.


Whilst the idea of a little 'home' of their own is appealing to most children, there are many styles or themes you can consider when decorating your summerhouse, depending on the interests and hobbies of your kids. Some of my favourites are a shop, castle, cafe or vintage beach hut.

One word of warning...be prepared to be roped into play when going out to check on the kids...!

Monday 2 August 2010

Why I like The Little Experience.

With weeks to go before the end of the Summer holidays and ideas to keep the kids amused running low, maybe The Little Experience is the answer to your woes.

If you're not aware of them I thoroughly recommend a visit to their website, where you'll find a huge range of craft kits, grouped conveniently in age range, skills base or craft skills...
...There's also loads of free downloads on all sorts of subjects like party themes and arranging a nature trail.

Everything has an 'eco' twist...click on a project and get up-cycling ideas for the packaging too!

Send in a photo of your kids and their Little Experience creations and they can be on the website...or even be on the boxes of the products themselves...how cool is that?

I'm sorry...is 'cool' still the word to use?
I'm not the only one to rave over this company...their products have been nominated for
shed-loads of awards and you can see the 'winners' on the website too.

Oh! Did I mention the website...it's fresh and user-friendly with oodles of information.
The kits are clearly displayed, with ample advice on skills suitability.
Just great...in all aspects...if you get a few minutes peace from the kids, visit the site....